Climbing in Red Rocks after heavy rain can permanently damage the rock! MORE INFO >>>

The sandstone in Red Rocks is fragile and is very easily damaged when it is wet. Holds rip off and climbs have been and will continue to be permanently damaged due to climbers not respecting this phenomenon. After a heavy storm the rock will remain wet, sometimes for several days. PLEASE DO NOT CLIMB IN RED ROCKS during or after rain. A good rule of thumb is that if the ground near your climb is at all damp (and not powdery dry sand), then do not climb. There are many alternatives (limestone, granite, basalt, and plastic) nearby.

This information is a public crowdsourcing effort between the Access Fund,
and Mountain Project.You should confirm closures, restrictions, and/or related dates.

Description

Friction Face is a sustained and exciting slab climb. There are multiple difficult sections with very few positive holds to rest on. The bolts are well spaced to make this a spicy, but safe lead. This climb faces south and requires a good amount of friction, so save it for those cooler days.

From a nice belay ledge, climb straight up clipping a bolt and begin to trend up and left. Clip a few more bolts and head straight up through a varnished section of rock. Some of the varnish is questionable, so use caution. Pull over a ledge and your at the anchors.

Note, there is another set of anchors to the left in a right facing corner, this is for another climb. You should climb straight up after the last bolt. It also seems that this climb may have "sprouted" a retro bolt.

Location

If you are heading up towards the Running Man wall, you take the 3rd/4th scramble up the slabs, this is directly above that approach. When you top out the stemming move from the scramble and reach the Running Man platform, bee line straight up to the face. You will notice a short un-aesthic right facing dihedral just to the left of this climb and bolts on a red face. This is about 50yds to climbers left of the climb Running Man. A single 60m rope will get you down.

Protection

All bolts. Handren book suggests 6 bolts, but there are definitely 7. Fixed rap anchors on top of a sloping ledge.

Another great slab climb. No rests on this one it's sustained. But nicely bolted. I think this climb, ultraman, head case, white slab and lotta balls offer a great education in slab climbing in the 5.8 range in RR.

Felt pretty friggin' sandbagged at 5.8+. We spent 4 days at Red Rocks and climbed routes from 5.8 to 5.12, and this one was harder than anything up to 10-. Somewhat run-out with a few of the hangers being spinners made it spicy, too. True friction slab climbing. First route we did at Red Rocks.

Great sustained slab climb on delicate feet and small crimps and slopes. Remember to follow a seam up and left after the 2nd bolt. took a nice whip trying to climb up directly under the 3rd bolt, which leaves you on 9+ or 10- slab? not even sure what 10- slab looks like but it was thinner than starvin' marvin!